DR. GORDON PATON FAHRNI

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DR. GORDON PATON FAHRNI After a full and venturesome life, Gordon died peacefully in his 91st year, at the Grace Hospice on January 20, 2007 in Winnipeg. Gordon was born in Winnipeg to Dr. Gordon and Alice Fahrni. He was predeceased by his parents and his sister Phyllis, and is survived by his niece Susan Kett, and nephews, Ronald and Gordon Brown. He was accepted into the School of Medicine at the University of Manitoba, and upon graduation in 1940 joined the Royal Canadian Navy. Soon after he was deployed to England, he was assigned to H.M.S. Fitzroy, a minesweeper on which he served until she was sunk in 1942. For his actions during the sinking Gordon was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for .....great bravery, devotion to duty, leadership, and skill in actions against enemy submarines. He became Surgeon Lt. Commander and later, Surgeon Captain. Following the war he proceeded to post graduate work in Toronto General Hospital and for further training at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota. Gordon received his Fellowship (F.R.C.P.) and practiced as a general surgeon at the Winnipeg General, Child's and Grace Hospitals. Boating was an important part of Gordon's life. He docked at Buchanan's for years, with his wooden Chris Craft Off Call . He sailed between Buchanan's and The Royal Manitoba Yacht Club, where he would raft up to the Argonauta . When Buchanan's closed he moved to the Royal Manitoba Yacht Club. He was designated Vice Commodore Surgeon he was elected Rear Commodore Fleet. He bought his second boat Shot Gun and then his Formula boat his second Off Call which he docked at the Gimli Harbour sailing back and forth between Gimli and the R.M.Y.C. In 1993 he was recognized for his many years of dedication and service to the R.M.Y.C. with a Life Membership. For many years he owned and operated a boat in the Intercoastal waters ways at Pompano Beach, Florida. He was held in high esteem within the boating community, which became evident with the many visits in the last few months from boaters which brightened his days. Throughout his adult life he enjoyed many activities, pursuing his passions for wildfowl hunting, and gardening. He always looked forward with great anticipation to the Fall hunting season, when his father visited from Vancouver to join him and his traditional companions for the opening shoot. Memories of his early years as a paper boy remained vivid all his life. He was a man of many talents enjoying horseback riding, downhill skiing, story telling, and the piano. The compassion and care received from the staff at both Riverview Palliative Care and The Grace Hospice was greatly appreciated. A Memorial will be held at the Royal Manitoba Yacht Club in the Spring. If so desired donations can be made to a charity of your choice. Thomson Funeral Home 669 Broadway 783-7211

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 27, 2007